One of the Prettyboy Watershed Alliance’s core missions is to protect and restore streams.  You can help us fulfill this mission by adopting a stream through our Stream Watch program.

What is the Stream Watch program?
Volunteers adopt a small section of a stream and commit to monitoring it two to three times a year.  We'll train you and track the data that you report back. 

How do I sign up?
Just contact us. The training takes about two hours and the first half can even be done at your kitchen table. We present a PowerPoint program on a laptop and then go to a nearby stream for a hands on demonstration.

What streams can I adopt?
You can adopt any stream in the Prettyboy watershed (even one on your own property).

Why should I adopt a stream?
This is a great opportunity to learn what makes a healthy stream.  Among other things, we talk about the insect (macroinvertebrate) life that inhabits streams and is the food source for fish. The type of macroinvertebrates inhabiting a stream indicates how healthy the stream is. For example, mayflies are very pollution sensitive whereas snails are are not.  Hopefully your stream will have lots of mayflies and very few snails!

It’s important to know that just because the water in your stream is clear that does not mean the stream is healthy. Because macroinvertebrates live there year round they are our ultimate indicator of stream health. And you also need to realize that if your stream has "poor health" that does not mean it's your fault - we all live downstream!